Saturday, 16 January 2016

Since my closet is still wildly out of hand, I figured I'd stick to the same format as last year and just post my additions for the year!

It's not been an overly frilly year for me this year as I've been focusing more on building up my Black Milk wardrobe. But I'm still not ready to leave lolita entirely, despite selling my favourite dress last year (Romantic Rose Letter OP...some day you shall be mine again!).

Linking to old posts even though a few of them seem to have lost their images:

Angelic Pretty's Mercator's Antique Shop JSK - I initially wanted the black version but missed out. I'm not sure about this colour on me, but it's too lovely to give up on just yet as the print is so detailed.

Angelic Pretty's Royal Unicorn JSK - have been having a nightmare finding anything in my wardrobe to match this, but the fabrics are so luxurious.

Angelic Pretty's Milky Cross Skirt - I actually wanted the JSK the most but ended up with everything but even though it turns out it's shiny & scratchy...

Angelic Pretty's Belle Epoque Rose JSK - again with those fabrics ♥

Angelic Pretty's Celestial JSK - I adore this more gothic piece, although the darned pearls fell off when I tried it on & I'm nervous about sewing them back on.

Angelic Pretty's Celestial Skirt - Been meaning to sell this one as the waist is too big, but I think we can assume that I suck at selling things by now!

Alice and the Pirates' Horoscope JSK - Impulse buy as I'm digging navy a lot at the moment.

So I stuck to last year's resolution to pad out my darker pieces! I didn't realise I had so many new pieces until listing them like this, as my most recent purchase was way back in June. This year I will try harder to resist the temptations of Angelic Pretty!

Friday, 15 January 2016

Finally, the long awaited Galaxy Wolf 2.0! Despite telling us they wouldn't be making any more of them, a smaller number of hoods were made with new fur, new cut, and higher-contrast liner (due to many complaints from people who got very dark placements in the OG). I vastly prefer the original version, but I wasn't going to miss out on a chance at my grail hood (the originals were going for $500 even if the placements were bad...no ta).

At $139 + $30 P&P + the dreaded customs, it's a big risk when you don't know what placement you're going to get! Despite a few hundred hoods being put up for sale, they sold out very quickly and the drop was rather stressful. I got delayed in leaving shop floor (the release was at the time I finished work), and when I tried to get one on my phone in the staffroom it said they were sold out and I cried a little. But I tried the men's link and for some reason it worked even though they should be taken from the same stock. Result!

Since it was a preorder on the 28th of December and they weren't shipped until the 8th of January, mine didn't arrive until the 12th. A long wait!

Uh oh...

Considering this is supposed to be the galaxy purple print which heavily features pink, I don't think my hood really captures the beauty of the print well. It's super disappointing. Why so much red? Again?! And while I wanted a galaxy blue hood, I meant a new one, not a dud purple haha.

The pink ear is kind of cute, but the other one blends in with the fur a bit too well. Pictured on top of jacket for comparison.

Having said that, it doesn't clash too badly with other galaxy purple pieces (L-R: slouchy, toasties, leggings, skater skirt). I don't dislike the hood, and I'm sure it'll grow on me. It was just not what I was hoping for. At least this time I was prepared for this eventuality (I mean, it doesn't look too dissimilar from the stock photo), unlike the surprise red "rainbow" on the last hood. But there are definitely plenty of more attractive ones!

I did find this rather long thread dangling from ear, but there don't appear to be any structural problems. I'll never be a fan of this new cut though as it's too big which makes the sleeves dangle strangely and swamps me. This fabric seems a tad stiffer than the fox so it digs into my neck a little instead of slipping forward and stabbing fur into my eyes! Haha.

I'm still very happy to have been able to get one of these hoods as I didn't think I'd ever get one. I'm kind of hoping the influx of new galaxy wolves might drive the OG prices down though, as really the OG galaxy wolf is still my grail and probably always will be!

Friday, 8 January 2016

For the first time in ages, I have no more Black Milk orders on the way to me! Although that will change next week when the next release drops, but at least I have a 20% off voucher from December to use this month!

The new year release, New Year Bling, had a few nice basics I didn't want to miss out on. I think the fabric of the Burned Velvet Elf 3/4 Sleeve Crop was a mistake when they were trying to make green, but I really love the dark blue-green shade! Favourite velvet colour so far (I wish I had the legs for the matching Split Skirt, but it sold out immediately anyway). The Suspender Leggings are also much more subtle in person, which means they're a great staple piece! Although I should probably cool it with the wet look leggings as I have loads now!

I also got Bootleg Fishnet Hosiery as a replacement for my Bootleg Net Leggings which broke when I tried them on (stupid big thighs and stupid crappy fishnet!). They're a tad long, but I guess that's to be expected from OSFA hosiery!

Also while I tried hard to resist the Museum Sale during Black Milk's 5 days of Christmas, I ended up making a small order. The Burned Velvet Regal Red 3/4 Sleeve Crop is much pinker in person than I had expected, and the background is a nude tone. It's definitely not as nice as the wine pieces, but still good for layering, and nice to see different burned velvet patterns! And I decided to give the Neo Victorian Midi Skirt a try despite my lack of height. I don't think I would buy another one as it's definitely too long on me and I feel strange in something so long, but it's a gorgeous piece nonetheless.

Next week is the Future Classics release, which has lots of nice staples. However they seem to have changed the cut of nana bottoms which is disappointing because now they leave nothing to the imagination at all and I think they look super trashy. Guess that means no more swimwear for me in future as they have changed all the cuts to high-leg with no ass cover. Oh well!

Saturday, 2 January 2016

I'd considered a Spirithoods jacket previously as I've struggled to find any in other stores that I liked as most of them don't have hoods. I was always put off by the ridiculous price. But then a wild Black Milk collaboration appeared, and a Galaxy Grey Wolf Coat happened.

I regretted not buying the hood so much, that I bought this even though I can't see myself wearing it much because it's so ridiculous!

It released on the 10th, and I had it shipped from Hopshopgo on the 18th. It arrived on the 21st. So still quite speedy considering the distance and time of year.

The fur isn't as soft as the fox was, but it's still quite soft (and shedding everywhere!). It's a bit of a shame that the panels don't blend better, but I guess it would have been a mare to organise them so the pattern would line up! Could be brighter though, I guess?

Part of me is sad that my ears are dark and quite plain because they're the only part of the galaxy print that actually shows, but then again that means it'll go with other clothing a lot better. I wouldn't have liked odd bright pink/blue ears that I have seen on some.

I worried about the sizing as the chart made all the sizes sound absolutely huge. I opted for the smallest size and worried that my shoulders might be too big, but it fits okay. I'd have preferred it a bit bigger as it's a bit snug on my hips (I can wear the smaller set of buttons comfortably on my bust and waist but definitely not on my hips!). However I imagine I'll be more likely to wear it undone to avoid looking like a huge furry tube, so it's not a huge issue. They definitely aren't flattering when done up as they mask all curves.

There are two outer pockets and one small zipped one inside the lining. I think the hood is super cute, but I'm not sure about the body. Sadly you can't really keep your hands in the pockets like I would in a hoodie as they're too high up and due to the lack of looseness. Need to wear it a whole bunch of times to give it a proper test drive!

Somewhat irritatingly, a Galaxy Wolf 2.0 was announced the day this arrived. I wouldn't have bought the jacket if I had known it would be back! I managed to get one too, but customs is pain. So I might sell the coat after all...